UPDATE: Rhodes can't serve as interim education chief

JACKSON — The state Board of Education has chosen John Jordan as interim superintendent of schools.

Jordan is a former deputy state superintendent and ex-Oxford school superintendent. He begin his new post on Monday.

The move comes after an attorney general’s opinion said an interim state superintendent must have the same qualifications as a permanent one, forcing Judy Rhodes to withdraw her name from consideration.

State law requires the state superintendent to have at least a master’s degree and five years of administrative experience.

Rhodes has been employed by the state Department of Education for 20 years but does not have a master’s degree. She has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and nearly 30 credit hours toward a master’s.